Is ’t possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio?
I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.
Is ’t possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio? I tell you, sir, she bears me fair in hand.
Is ’t possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio? I tell you, si...
Is ’t possible, friend Licio, that Mistress Bianca Doth fancy any other but Lucentio? I...
Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said,
Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.
Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.
Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.
Sir, to satisfy you in what I have said, Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching.
Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?
Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?
Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?
Now, mistress, profit you in what you read?
What, master, read you? First resolve me that.
What, master, read you? First resolve me that.
What, master, read you? First resolve me that.
What, master, read you? First resolve me that.
I read that I profess, _The Art to Love_.
I read that I profess, _The Art to Love_.
I read that I profess, _The Art to Love_.
I read that I profess, _The Art to Love_.
And may you prove, sir, master of your art!
And may you prove, sir, master of your art!
And may you prove, sir, master of your art!
And may you prove, sir, master of your art!
While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart.
While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart.
While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart.
While you, sweet dear, prove mistress of my heart.
Quick proceeders, marry! Now tell me, I pray,
You that durst swear that your Mistress Bianca
Lov’d none in the world so well as Lucentio.
Quick proceeders, marry! Now tell me, I pray, You that durst swear that your Mistress Bianca Lov’d none in the world so well as Lucentio.
Quick proceeders, marry! Now tell me, I pray, You that durst swear that your Mistress Bianca Lov’d n...
Quick proceeders, marry! Now tell me, I pray, You that durst swear that your Mistress...
O despiteful love! unconstant womankind!
I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.
O despiteful love! unconstant womankind! I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.
O despiteful love! unconstant womankind! I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.
O despiteful love! unconstant womankind! I tell thee, Licio, this is wonderful.
Mistake no more; I am not Licio.
Nor a musician as I seem to be;
But one that scorn to live in this disguise
For such a one as leaves a gentleman
And makes a god of such a cullion:
Know, sir, that I am call’d Hortensio.
Mistake no more; I am not Licio. Nor a musician as I seem to be; But one that scorn to live in this disguise For such a one as leaves a gentleman And ...
Mistake no more; I am not Licio. Nor a musician as I seem to be; But one that scorn to live in this ...
Mistake no more; I am not Licio. Nor a musician as I seem to be;...
Signior Hortensio, I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca;
And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness,
I will with you, if you be so contented,
Forswear Bianca and her love for ever.
Signior Hortensio, I have often heard Of your entire affection to Bianca; And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness, I will with you, if you be...
Signior Hortensio, I have often heard Of your entire affection to Bianca; And since mine eyes are wi...
Signior Hortensio, I have often heard Of your entire affection to Bianca; And since mine...
See, how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio,
Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow
Never to woo her more, but do forswear her,
As one unworthy all the former favours
That I have fondly flatter’d her withal.
See, how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio, Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow Never to woo her more, but do forswear her, As one unworthy all...
See, how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio, Here is my hand, and here I firmly vow Never to woo ...
See, how they kiss and court! Signior Lucentio, Here is my hand, and here I...
And here I take the like unfeigned oath,
Never to marry with her though she would entreat;
Fie on her! See how beastly she doth court him!
And here I take the like unfeigned oath, Never to marry with her though she would entreat; Fie on her! See how beastly she doth court him!
And here I take the like unfeigned oath, Never to marry with her though she would entreat; Fie on he...
And here I take the like unfeigned oath, Never to marry with her though she...
Would all the world but he had quite forsworn!
For me, that I may surely keep mine oath,
I will be married to a wealthy widow
Ere three days pass, which hath as long lov’d me
As I have lov’d this proud disdainful haggard.
And so farewell, Signior Lucentio.
Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks,
Shall win my love; and so I take my leave,
In resolution as I swore before.
Would all the world but he had quite forsworn! For me, that I may surely keep mine oath, I will be married to a wealthy widow Ere three days pass, whi...
Would all the world but he had quite forsworn! For me, that I may surely keep mine oath, I will be m...
Would all the world but he had quite forsworn! For me, that I may surely...
The brief exchange between Lucentio and Bianca — 'I read The Art to Love' / 'And may you prove master of your art' / 'While you prove mistress of my heart' — is the moment Bianca stops being a mystery and becomes a character. She's been playing the compliant sister since Act 1, enduring her father's rules, appearing grateful, performing modesty. Here, in front of two watching men, she openly flirts and matches Lucentio wit for wit. Hortensio's jealous exit is proportionate — he's seeing that the competition was never fair. Bianca knew what she wanted and used every tool available to get it. The irony is that she is presented as the reward in a game she was running all along.
Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace
As ’longeth to a lover’s blessed case!
Nay, I have ta’en you napping, gentle love,
And have forsworn you with Hortensio.
Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace As ’longeth to a lover’s blessed case! Nay, I have ta’en you napping, gentle love, And have forsworn you wi...
Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace As ’longeth to a lover’s blessed case! Nay, I have ta’en ...
Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace As ’longeth to a lover’s blessed case! Nay,...
Tranio, you jest; but have you both forsworn me?
Tranio, you jest; but have you both forsworn me?
Tranio, you jest; but have you both forsworn me?
Tranio, you jest; but have you both forsworn me?
Mistress, we have.
Mistress, we have.
Mistress, we have.
Mistress, we have.
Then we are rid of Licio.
Then we are rid of Licio.
Then we are rid of Licio.
Then we are rid of Licio.
I’ faith, he’ll have a lusty widow now,
That shall be woo’d and wedded in a day.
I’ faith, he’ll have a lusty widow now, That shall be woo’d and wedded in a day.
I’ faith, he’ll have a lusty widow now, That shall be woo’d and wedded in a day.
I’ faith, he’ll have a lusty widow now, That shall be woo’d and wedded in a day.
God give him joy!
God give him joy!
God give him joy!
God give him joy!
Ay, and he’ll tame her.
Ay, and he’ll tame her.
Ay, and he’ll tame her.
Ay, and he’ll tame her.
He says so, Tranio.
He says so, Tranio.
He says so, Tranio.
He says so, Tranio.
Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.
Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.
Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.
Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school.
The taming-school! What, is there such a place?
The taming-school! What, is there such a place?
The taming-school! What, is there such a place?
The taming-school! What, is there such a place?
Ay, mistress; and Petruchio is the master,
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long,
To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.
Ay, mistress; and Petruchio is the master, That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long, To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue.
Ay, mistress; and Petruchio is the master, That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long, To tame a sh...
Ay, mistress; and Petruchio is the master, That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long, To...
O master, master! I have watch’d so long
That I am dog-weary; but at last I spied
An ancient angel coming down the hill
Will serve the turn.
O master, master! I have watch’d so long That I am dog-weary; but at last I spied An ancient angel coming down the hill Will serve the turn.
O master, master! I have watch’d so long That I am dog-weary; but at last I spied An ancient angel c...
O master, master! I have watch’d so long That I am dog-weary; but at last...
What is he, Biondello?
What is he, Biondello?
What is he, Biondello?
What is he, Biondello?
Master, a mercatante or a pedant,
I know not what; but formal in apparel,
In gait and countenance surely like a father.
Master, a mercatante or a pedant, I know not what; but formal in apparel, In gait and countenance surely like a father.
Master, a mercatante or a pedant, I know not what; but formal in apparel, In gait and countenance su...
Master, a mercatante or a pedant, I know not what; but formal in apparel, In...
And what of him, Tranio?
And what of him, Tranio?
And what of him, Tranio?
And what of him, Tranio?
If he be credulous and trust my tale,
I’ll make him glad to seem Vincentio,
And give assurance to Baptista Minola,
As if he were the right Vincentio.
Take in your love, and then let me alone.
If he be credulous and trust my tale, I’ll make him glad to seem Vincentio, And give assurance to Baptista Minola, As if he were the right Vincentio. ...
If he be credulous and trust my tale, I’ll make him glad to seem Vincentio, And give assurance to Ba...
If he be credulous and trust my tale, I’ll make him glad to seem Vincentio,...
Tranio's recruitment of the Pedant is one of the most audacious con-artist scenes in Shakespeare. He approaches a stranger, invents a diplomatic crisis (Mantua is at war with Padua, there's a death proclamation), watches panic set in, and then offers the exact solution the stranger needs — becoming a fake father for one dinner. The speed and confidence of the lie is the trick. Tranio doesn't pause, hedge, or qualify: he delivers the false law as historical fact and the resemblance to Vincentio as genuine ('in countenance somewhat doth resemble you' — an aside immediately undercuts this as completely false). The Pedant never suspects because the offer comes too fast and solves a problem too precisely. The whole scheme, when it unravels in 5-1, does so because the real Vincentio arrives at exactly the wrong moment — probability catching up with audacity.
God save you, sir!
God save you, sir!
God save you, sir!
God save you, sir!
And you, sir! you are welcome.
Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?
And you, sir! you are welcome. Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?
And you, sir! you are welcome. Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?
And you, sir! you are welcome. Travel you far on, or are you at the farthest?
Sir, at the farthest for a week or two;
But then up farther, and as far as Rome;
And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.
Sir, at the farthest for a week or two; But then up farther, and as far as Rome; And so to Tripoli, if God lend me life.
Sir, at the farthest for a week or two; But then up farther, and as far as Rome; And so to Tripoli, ...
Sir, at the farthest for a week or two; But then up farther, and as...
What countryman, I pray?
What countryman, I pray?
What countryman, I pray?
What countryman, I pray?
Of Mantua.
Of Mantua.
Of Mantua.
Of Mantua.
Of Mantua, sir? Marry, God forbid,
And come to Padua, careless of your life!
Of Mantua, sir? Marry, God forbid, And come to Padua, careless of your life!
Of Mantua, sir? Marry, God forbid, And come to Padua, careless of your life!
Of Mantua, sir? Marry, God forbid, And come to Padua, careless of your life!
My life, sir! How, I pray? for that goes hard.
My life, sir! How, I pray? for that goes hard.
My life, sir! How, I pray? for that goes hard.
My life, sir! How, I pray? for that goes hard.
’Tis death for anyone in Mantua
To come to Padua. Know you not the cause?
Your ships are stay’d at Venice; and the Duke,—
For private quarrel ’twixt your Duke and him,—
Hath publish’d and proclaim’d it openly.
’Tis marvel, but that you are but newly come
You might have heard it else proclaim’d about.
’Tis death for anyone in Mantua To come to Padua. Know you not the cause? Your ships are stay’d at Venice; and the Duke,— For private quarrel ’twixt y...
’Tis death for anyone in Mantua To come to Padua. Know you not the cause? Your ships are stay’d at V...
’Tis death for anyone in Mantua To come to Padua. Know you not the cause?...
Alas, sir! it is worse for me than so;
For I have bills for money by exchange
From Florence, and must here deliver them.
Alas, sir! it is worse for me than so; For I have bills for money by exchange From Florence, and must here deliver them.
Alas, sir! it is worse for me than so; For I have bills for money by exchange From Florence, and mus...
Alas, sir! it is worse for me than so; For I have bills for money...
Well, sir, to do you courtesy,
This will I do, and this I will advise you:
First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?
Well, sir, to do you courtesy, This will I do, and this I will advise you: First, tell me, have you ever been at Pisa?
Well, sir, to do you courtesy, This will I do, and this I will advise you: First, tell me, have you ...
Well, sir, to do you courtesy, This will I do, and this I will advise...
Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been,
Pisa renowned for grave citizens.
Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been, Pisa renowned for grave citizens.
Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been, Pisa renowned for grave citizens.
Ay, sir, in Pisa have I often been, Pisa renowned for grave citizens.
Among them know you one Vincentio?
Among them know you one Vincentio?
Among them know you one Vincentio?
Among them know you one Vincentio?
I know him not, but I have heard of him,
A merchant of incomparable wealth.
I know him not, but I have heard of him, A merchant of incomparable wealth.
I know him not, but I have heard of him, A merchant of incomparable wealth.
I know him not, but I have heard of him, A merchant of incomparable wealth.
He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say,
In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
He is my father, sir; and, sooth to say, In countenance somewhat doth resemble you.
To save your life in this extremity,
This favour will I do you for his sake;
And think it not the worst of all your fortunes
That you are like to Sir Vincentio.
His name and credit shall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodg’d;
Look that you take upon you as you should!
You understand me, sir; so shall you stay
Till you have done your business in the city.
If this be courtesy, sir, accept of it.
To save your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his sake; And think it not the worst of all your fortunes That you are like to Sir ...
To save your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his sake; And think it not the wo...
To save your life in this extremity, This favour will I do you for his...
O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever
The patron of my life and liberty.
O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever The patron of my life and liberty.
O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever The patron of my life and liberty.
O, sir, I do; and will repute you ever The patron of my life and liberty.
Then go with me to make the matter good.
This, by the way, I let you understand:
My father is here look’d for every day
To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
’Twixt me and one Baptista’s daughter here:
In all these circumstances I’ll instruct you.
Go with me to clothe you as becomes you.
Then go with me to make the matter good. This, by the way, I let you understand: My father is here look’d for every day To pass assurance of a dower i...
Then go with me to make the matter good. This, by the way, I let you understand: My father is here l...
Then go with me to make the matter good. This, by the way, I let...
The Reckoning
Two plots resolve simultaneously: the Hortensio subplot ends quietly, as he discovers Bianca was never as gentle as advertised and exits to find a widow. The Lucentio plot gets its crucial next piece — a fake father, recruited on a street corner by a brilliant lie. The scene is mostly plot mechanics, but Bianca's brief moment of visible flirtation confirms what 3-1 suggested: the quiet sister was always the sharper player.
If this happened today…
Two guys stand on a street corner and watch through a coffee shop window as the girl they've both been competing for openly flirts with a third guy. One of them says 'I'm out — I'll find someone who appreciates me' and leaves. The other immediately turns to a passing stranger, invents a story about him being in legal trouble in this city, and offers to solve it — if the stranger will pretend to be someone's father for one dinner. The stranger, panicked, agrees.